Baghdad hosts 3rd int’l conference for fighting Islamic State thoughts
Iraq Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi
Baghdad (Iraqinews.com) The 3rd International Conference to Counter Daesh [Islamic State] Media and Ideology will kick off in Baghdad on Wednesday.
“Over 120 experts from 42 countries are expected to take part in the two-day event,” the office of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said in a statement, a copy of which was obtained by Alqurtas News.
“The conference, held under al-Abadi’s auspices, will tackle means of fighting Islamic State thoughts widely spread on the internet,” the statement read, adding that the participants will also discuss how to make use of Iraq’s victory over terrorism to promote international peace and security.
On Saturday, al-Abadi declared final victory over Islamic State three years after the militant group captured about a third of Iraq’s territory.
In a speech during the international media conference held at the journalists syndicate in Baghdad on Saturday, December 9, Abadi said, “Our troops gained full control on the Iraqi-Syrian borders. We announce the end of war against Islamic State.”
“Our battle against the enemy, who wanted to destroy our civilization, is over. Thus, we gained victory through our unity and determination that made us defeat IS in short time,” he said.
Abadi’s announcement comes two days after Russia announced a similar victory over Islamic State militants in neighboring Syria. Abadi declared Dec. 10 an annual national holiday on this occasion.